Hi from Alexandra and Mia

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miaalex

miaalex

Hatching
6 Years
Oct 25, 2013
7
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Hi
We are total newbies. My daughter is 10 years old and we are getting chickens for her/my Christmas present this year!
Not much else to say at this point.
We have our house, run and fencing being delivered this weekend so that will keep us busy for the week and we are picking our ladies next weekend! Can't wait!
AAx
 
Welcome to BYC! This is a great place with some really great peeps. You know this is just the beginning of a lifelong addiction don't you
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Yeah, we are very excited. We are getting three 18 weekers next week

I am reading so much on google etc, but one thing that I would like to put to you guys/experts ... setting up the enclosure etc. this weekend should I buy some specially treated earth (diatomaceous earth) for the wood etc.It suggests pouring it into nooks, crannies, hinges, etc. Thoughts?
Ax
 
miaalex said:
I am reading so much on google etc, but one thing that I would like to put to you guys/experts ... setting up the enclosure etc. this weekend should I buy some specially treated earth (diatomaceous earth) for the wood etc.It suggests pouring it into nooks, crannies, hinges, etc. Thoughts?
Ax
Click to expand...

Are they going to be on dirt or have access to regular yardspace? If so, then no need to buy anything special like that. You may want to create a place for them to "dust" in but it certainly doesn't require special dirt.
 
hi thanks, jmandawn

there is an area in our yard where there grass (or anything) doesn't really grow as it is shaded so we are setting up there. It used to be grassed but now it is grass, trees, ivy and dirt.

'google' experts suggest that this dirt should be put on the joints, etc. inside the coup for 'bug protection' - I'm sorry I should of been clearer

Thanks
A
 
I am thinking "Google Experts" are selling you a bill of goods. There are several ways to get bug protection and all of them will be cheaper than a "silica" dirt.

5% Seven Dust is a great thing to dust your birds with as well as several other ways. We use a method that my husband's family used that involves dipping the bird in water up to their head and it will clean a bird right up in a matter of seconds using Malathion but this should only be done at a highly diluted percentage 0.5%,

Where do you live?
 
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haha, I did think so. My mother was bought up on a farm and she is most distressed and the cart full of goods the farm shops are recommending to keep chickens!
We are in England (similar weather/climate/atmosphere to Maine/Mass really (a tad warmer than Alaska I dare say!) hence my joining this site :)
A
 
Alex...remember this...chickens have been around for EONS living in cold weather without the use of ANY many made gadgets. Many cold hardy breeds can survive and forage on their own in our weather conditions. Speaking to weather, I am sure you get just as cold as we do (-10 - -20) in the winter. Here is a really great thread on cold weather bird care:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/833137/to-heat-or-not-to-heat#post_12209779 Hokum Coco has done an excellent job of talking about cold weather care. Hope this helps and tell the "experts" to take a flying leap at a rolling donut
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Dawnie
 
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I meant to tell you...the following threads will take FOREVER to read all the way through but when you finish you will feel like an old pro concerning chickens, cold weather, and tips/tricks:

BeeKissed is the ultimate authority on this https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644300/fermenting-feed-for-meat-birds This is a great way to reduce you costs for raising chickens.

So many SUPER SMART people on this thread it is mind boggling https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/631861/diy-thread-lets-see-your-inventions

Great winter tips https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...er-from-brinsea-with-your-best-tip-for-winter

Hope all of this helps!
 

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